EDMORE — It’s been five months since the Endeavor Youth and Community Development Center in Edmore had its grand opening after signing a one-year lease April 1 with Montabella Community Schools.

The one-year lease on the gymnasium housed in Montabella’s Central Office facility is a probationary venture.

“If we are able to keep the funding up, we are very excited to re-sign and keep our current programs and new ones going for years to come,” said center director Julia Raglin. “As with any new venture, it is sometimes frustrating getting the ball rolling. At this point, I truly feel that the word is getting out into the community and the Endeavor Center is really starting to catch fire. I have new people calling and stopping in to check us out daily.”

The center programs target youth development and leadership, as well as physical fitness and fun events for kids and adults in the community. Current offerings include karate, adult basketball and volleyball open gyms and After School Adventures, a program for children ages 5 to 12. Private facility rental and birthday party packages – including facility rental, food, drinks and cake – are available. Meditation Yoga and Laughter Yoga begin Oct. 4.

Raglin’s duties are aided by the Endeavor youth group – part of an international Christian organization to promote youth leadership. She says the most rewarding part of her job is watching children have fun during their experiences at the center. Participants are midway through the second eight-week session of karate with the next one scheduled to begin Nov. 5.

“One of the best moments was seeing seven children receive their yellow belts when they graduated from the first eight-week session of karate,” Raglin said. “It has been by far the most popular program. We have run out of space in our top parking lot”.

With a variety of programs, there’s something for nearly everyone. Summertime programing provided an array of activities. Mommy and Me – for moms and daughters ages 8 to 18 – encouraged the mother-daughter relationship through group discussion, games and fitness. Other physical fitness options – Kids’ Fun and Fitness, Intro to Dance and Cheer and Intro to Juggling – kept kids moving. For a more artistic offering, Creativity Unlimited offered kids jewelry and ornament making, wood and paper crafting and other creative projects. Ladies Coffee Hour and Euchre Club were popular among the adult crowd.

Program costs are kept to a minimum. The center is funded entirely by program funding and outside contributions. Their philosophy is that the future of the community rides on today’s youths. It continues to promote a lasting relationship with the community through programs, memberships and partnerships with individual and business donors. The center also relies on many fundraising programs, according to Raglin.

“We need community members and businesses to step forward and make a donation or even better, become a monthly partner,” Raglin said. “By far, the biggest obstacle has been funding. We are completely funded by donations from the community and grants.”

A silent auction fundraiser to pay for boiler repair ($5,000) and an estimated $1000 monthly winter heating expense is underway. More than 50 donated auction items will be up for bid at the center for two weeks, starting Monday.

The center – located at 302 W. Main St. in Edmore – is open Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and various other hours throughout the week. Follow the center’s activities online on Facebook at facebook.com/endeavorcenter.

For more information, call (989) 427-3737 or email julia@christianendeavor.com.

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